Looks Like The Who Are Doing It Right

The Who are about to embark on a year-long tour, taking them to Europe, the US and beyond. As a crazy, nutty Who fan, it seems hard to believe that 12 years ago, it seemed unlikely that Pete and Roger would ever even speak to each other again.

Since 1994:

• The Who performed Quadrophenia in its entirety
• Pete Townshend picked up an electric guitar again
• Pete Townshend looked like he was actually enjoying himself
• The Who went back down to a 5-piece (they're at 6 now, with Simon)
• John Entwistle died on the eve of their 2002 tour
• They pulled out songs we never thought we'd hear live again, like "Relay" and "Another Tricky Day"
• They released all of their live shows on CD
• They recorded, released and performed two new songs

Here's what we have to look forward to this year:

• A return to Leeds, tonight (read Pete's thoughts)
• Live webcasting before, during and after shows, featuring Rachel Fuller and a variety of guests, including Pete stopping in and playing acoustic rarities
• A new album The Glass Household, recorded and in-the-can, released in September, and the mini-opera Wire And Glass released in June

And, announced today, The Who Encore Series 2006: not only CDs of every show, but full DVDs of every show, with both stereo and surround mixes, and 4-camera setup.

Holy crap.

And did I mention that all profits from the webcasts and Encore Series go to charity?

Color me happy. And poor.

Now all they have to do is bring Keith and John back from the dead.